Opinion
Case No.: 1:21-cv-00115-JLT (PC)
02-18-2021
PAUL DIXON LEWIS, Plaintiff, v. T. CISNEROS, Defendant.
FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO DENY PLAINTIFF'S MOTION TO PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS (Doc. 2) 14-DAY DEADLINE Clerk of the Court to Assign a District Judge
On January 28, 2021, Plaintiff filed a motion to proceed in forma pauperis (IFP). (Doc. 2.) The certified account statement submitted by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation indicates that, as of January 27, 2021, Plaintiff had $1,050.05 in his inmate trust account. (Doc. 6.) This is more than enough to pay the filing fee of $402 in full.
Accordingly, on January 30, 2021, the Court ordered Plaintiff to show cause why his motion to proceed IFP should not be denied. (Doc. 7.) Plaintiff responded to the order on February 17, 2021. (Doc. 8.) Plaintiff does not deny that he has sufficient funds to pay the filing fee, but he states that the funds were provided pursuant to the CARES Act "so that [he's] able to take care [of himself.]" (Id.) Plaintiff, however, does not explain why the funds are necessary for his care, given that his "basic needs are provided by the State." Clifton v. Curry, No. 2:20-cv-02149-JDP, 2020 WL 6526126, at *1 (E.D. Cal. 2020).
Plaintiff is correct that access to the Court is a right. (Doc. 8.) But as explained in the Court's order to show cause, proceeding "in forma pauperis is a privilege." Smart v. Heinze, 347 F.2d 114, 116 (9th Cir. 1965). While a party need not be completely destitute to proceed IFP, Adkins v. E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., 335 U.S. 331, 339-40 (1948), "'the same even-handed care must be employed to assure that federal funds are not squandered to underwrite, at public expense, ... the remonstrances of a suitor who is financially able, in whole or in material part, to pull his own oar.'" Doe v. Educ. Enrichment Sys., No. 15cv2628-MMA-MDD, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 173063, *2 (S.D. Cal. 2015) (citation omitted).
Plaintiff has sufficient funds in his inmate trust account to pay the filing fee in full. Accordingly, the Court DIRECTS the Clerk of the Court to assign a district judge to this action and RECOMMENDS that:
1. Plaintiff's motion to proceed in forma pauperis (Doc. 2) be DENIED; and,
2. Plaintiff be required to pay the filing fee of $402 within 30 days of the assigned district judge's adoption of these findings and recommendations.
These findings and recommendations will be submitted to the United States District Judge assigned to this case, pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). Within 14 days of the date of service of these findings and recommendations, Plaintiff may file written objections with the Court. The document should be captioned, "Objections to Magistrate Judge's Findings and Recommendations." Plaintiff's failure to file objections within the specified time may result in waiver of his rights on appeal. Wilkerson v. Wheeler, 772 F.3d 834, 839 (9th Cir. 2014) (citing Baxter v. Sullivan, 923 F.2d 1391, 1394 (9th Cir. 1991)). IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dated: February 18 , 2021
/s/ Jennifer L. Thurston
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE